I was curious to see what devices you own besides the glowforge and if you own multiple Glowforges. Do you own more than one laser, 3d printer, CNC, etc. type devices?
Out of all of them what is your favorite and why?
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Hmm, in terms of those kinds of devices, I guess my inventory includes:
- Lulzbot Mini (3D printer)
- Prusa MINI (3D printer)
- Prusa XL (3D printer)
- Silhouette Cameo 3 (craft cutter)
- Carvera (CNC mill)
- Shaper Origin (CNC router)
- and of course the Glowforge Pro
I’m not sure I’d pick a favorite, since they are all good for different things. But I have a favorite aspect: ease of use, in the very specific sense of how little hassle it is to go from idea to finished product. Glowforge is likely the winner there: most of what I use it for is cutting out acrylic, and the process couldn’t be much more straightforward. Power it on, throw a piece of acrylic on the bed, drop an SVG onto a web page, and press the button. Right on its heels are the 3D printers - the models I have a very low maintenance, so for the most part it also comes down to “press button and wait”. But occasionally slicing is non-trivial, and filament can be fussier to deal with.
At the opposite end is the CNC mill. For some reason I can’t fathom, I’ve owned three of them: an X-Carve, then a newer X-Carve, and now the Carvera. I’ll give the Carvera a lot of points for simplifying tool changing and probing/zeroing, and making an effort to have a UI. But a CNC project is still an hour of fixturing for 5 minutes of cutting. And you have to look up/guess/experiment with feeds and speeds to an extent that makes custom settings on the Glowforge seem like child’s play. So unfortunately that thing sits collecting dust most of the time instead of making dust. They do have new CAM software coming out that promises to maybe simplify things (but knowing their history with software quality, I have my doubts).
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You will swear I’m stalking @chris1 by the similarity but I’m not, we just came to similar conclusions separately .
- Lulzbot TAZ 6 (3D printer) (saving up for a Prusa XL
- Silhouette Cameo 3 (craft cutter)
- Carvera (CNC mill)
*I have the rotary attachment for this and it can be a game changer. - Shaper Origin (CNC router)
- Glowforge Aura
*Glowforge Spark - and of course the Glowforge Pro
My take on having several smart tools is that they don’t add, they multiply your capability.
And yes, most used is the Glowforge Pro.
They are all my favorite on the day I have to have it.
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Glowforge Basic
Glowforge Spark
Phrozen Sonic Mini (3D printer)
The Basic is my go-to, but that’s more a familiarity thing at least currently.
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Glowforge Pro
Glowforge Aura
Silhouette Cameo 4
Elegoo Mars 3D resin printer (original model)
Foredom portable micro-motor
Vacuum forming machine (just a cheap model)
I used to have a Tooli by Toolbotics. It was a cnc with a bunch of different attachments for cutting, dispensing, plotting/drawing, picking/placing, airbrush, etc. I never used it more than a couple of times and it was taking up space I needed. I feel kinda bad about that one—I hate to be wasteful.
The tool I use the most (on virtually every project) is the Foredom. It’s kind of like a high-end Dremel tool. After that it’s the Glowforges.
I’m planning to add a filament 3D printer to my arsenal very soon. I’d like to make some slightly larger projects than my resin printer can do. And I’m getting tired of dealing with resin.
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Glowforge Pro
KNK 24" vinyl cutter
Bambu Labs A1 3d printer
Sublimation printer (converted inkjet)
Heat press
Eventually I would like to get some kind of big CNC milling machine that can work in wood an aluminum.
I wish I started learning CAD years ago when I started learning 2d vector design, but I also deliberately put off buying a 3d printer until they were easier to use. I know my A1 will require service eventually, but it’s also running well out of the box and that is critical because I want to spend my time learning CAD, not printer repair.
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Glowforge Pro
Bambu Lab X1Carbon with 2 AMS
Silhouette Cameo 2 and 4
Epson 16600 converted for sublimation
(Heat press, mug press, hat press, mini press, tumbler press)
Baby lock Evolution serger
Husqvarna Viking Epic 2 embroidery machine
Husqvarna Viking Designer 1 embroidery machine
I love them all! Something for every whim!
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Wow, that’s quite a factory you’ve got going there! I think we need to see more of your projects.
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I can bear witness that she does beautiful work with that Epson printer.
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I forgot, I have a Brother sewing machine that can do simple automated embroidery. Unfortunately the free tools to make pattern files seem to be lacking. I should look into that again.
There is a theme here: I like it when robots do work for me.
(This post will be used in my trial once AI takes over.)
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Sometimes it feels like there is more equipment than time. It is a lot of fun when you do get time though!
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I feel attacked .
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I have a GFPro, a Silhouette (the bigger one), a heat press (shirt/cup/whatever), sublimation printer, XTool Screen Printer (unopened still). That’s about it. My fave is the GF because I know how to use it. Everything else seems to be trial and error every time.
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Aeon Mira 9 100W
EMP 50W Fiber
Glowforge Pro
Snapmaker 2
Laserpecker 4
Bambu X1Carbon w/ AMS
Anycubic Kobra Max
Anycubic Photon Max
Silhouette Cameo 4
Lulzbot TAZ Pro
Accessories:
PiBurn 4 Rotary & Grip
Aeon Rotary
Aeon Multi-roller
Snapmaker Rotary
Laserpecker Rotary
Favorite is Mira 9 because of PiBurn rotary, bigger work area, lightburn software. Bambu X1-C is favorite 3D printer.
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GF Basic
GF Spark
Cricut Explore 2Air
old, old Cricut
HP Laserjet Color Printer
Brother sewing machine that has limited embroidery (which I have never used the embroidery on it to do more than simple edging stuff).
air compressor for airbrushing, which I’ve never used at all
Dremel
I really lack it seems when it comes to machines!
My fave would be the GF Basic, and my sewing machine. And my color printer.
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Me too. But it’s an old one.
Just that and the 
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GF Pro
Xtool P1 with base, rotary tool , conveyer belt, & screen print kit
nomad 883 CNC x 2
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i feel like such a piker in this group.
GF Basic
x-tool screen print kit
ELEGOO Mars 3 resin printer (that’s not fully set up)
Cricut heat press
various random woodworking tools (but mostly basic and handheld)
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5 Glowforges Mira 9, Mira 7, UV DTF Printer, X Carve, Laser Pecker, Full Wood Shop , Hat Press and Laminator. 2 3D Printers and a Resin Printer. I thinks that’s it.
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I have had many devices from a hand operated 3D printer (no electronics) centrifical casting stuff and ovens, but most was lost in the last move or before. Currently I have a Foredom flex shaft, a tiny mill, a nonworking 3d printer and a Glowforge Pro with no room for more anyway.
No fair guessing which one I like and use the most.
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